Police, community and calendar briefs for May 4

Published: Friday, May 3, 2013 at 6:05 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, May 3, 2013 at 6:05 p.m.

Ocala police are investigating the death of a 1½-month-old baby Thursday.

An autopsy was conducted Friday on Shadrick L. Mitchell and authorities said the investigation into his death is on-going.

The child’s father, also named Shadrick L. Mitchell, 22, told police he arrived home from work and changed his son’s diaper and played with him for a little bit before the boy’s mother fed the baby and left for work. Mitchell said he watched television, then fell asleep. He said the baby was already asleep in a different place, according to reports.

Mitchell told police he prepared a bottle for the infant and went to his mother’s residence nearby to ask if she could watch the baby while he ran an errand. He said he returned home and picked up the child and noticed he was unresponsive. He said he went to his mother’s home for help and then called 911, noted the reports.

Medical personnel took the child to Munroe Regional Medical Center, where he died.

OPD: Man fathered child with 15-year-old

A 22-year-old Ocala man was arrested Thursday and charged with lewd and lascivious battery on a minor younger than 16 after it was revealed he was the father of two children with the girl.

Late last month, Ocala Police Department Detective Miguel Gauthier was assigned a case where it was alleged that Dyron Rick Edwards had battered a 16-year-old girl, who was pregnant with their second child.

Gauthier discovered the girl had given birth to her first child when she was 15.

It is against the law to have sexual relations with a person younger than age 16.

Edwards admitted he was the father of the children. He was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.

Community

FWC recommends leaving wildlife alone

This time of year the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission gets calls about “abandoned” animals and birds in need of rescue. Rescues, however, may do more harm than good.

The FWC recommends that if you find a fawn or other baby animal, don’t touch it and quietly leave the area.

If you find juvenile birds on the ground looking confused, they may be trying to hide to avoid predators as they learn to fly. The only time a baby songbird should be rescued is when it is on the ground and has almost no feathers, is injured by pets or its tail is less than a half-inch long and it cannot hop on its own. If the nest is low enough to safely return the bird, it is OK to do so. Should a bird need care by a rehabilitator, place it in a tissue-lined box with air holes and keep the box warm. Do not give food or water.

The FWC’s Northeast Region Office can be reached at 732-1225 for a list of rehabbers. Many local veterinarians also can be a good source of advice.

<p><b>Police beat</b></p><p><b>Police investigate death of baby</b></p><p>Ocala police are investigating the death of a 1½-month-old baby Thursday.</p><p>An autopsy was conducted Friday on Shadrick L. Mitchell and authorities said the investigation into his death is on-going.</p><p>The child's father, also named Shadrick L. Mitchell, 22, told police he arrived home from work and changed his son's diaper and played with him for a little bit before the boy's mother fed the baby and left for work. Mitchell said he watched television, then fell asleep. He said the baby was already asleep in a different place, according to reports.</p><p>Mitchell told police he prepared a bottle for the infant and went to his mother's residence nearby to ask if she could watch the baby while he ran an errand. He said he returned home and picked up the child and noticed he was unresponsive. He said he went to his mother's home for help and then called 911, noted the reports.</p><p>Medical personnel took the child to Munroe Regional Medical Center, where he died.</p><p><b>OPD: Man fathered child with 15-year-old</b></p><p>A 22-year-old Ocala man was arrested Thursday and charged with lewd and lascivious battery on a minor younger than 16 after it was revealed he was the father of two children with the girl.</p><p>Late last month, Ocala Police Department Detective Miguel Gauthier was assigned a case where it was alleged that Dyron Rick Edwards had battered a 16-year-old girl, who was pregnant with their second child.</p><p>Gauthier discovered the girl had given birth to her first child when she was 15.</p><p>It is against the law to have sexual relations with a person younger than age 16.</p><p>Edwards admitted he was the father of the children. He was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.</p><p> </p><p><b>Community</b></p><p><b>FWC recommends leaving wildlife alone</b></p><p>This time of year the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission gets calls about “abandoned” animals and birds in need of rescue. Rescues, however, may do more harm than good.</p><p>The FWC recommends that if you find a fawn or other baby animal, don't touch it and quietly leave the area.</p><p>If you find juvenile birds on the ground looking confused, they may be trying to hide to avoid predators as they learn to fly. The only time a baby songbird should be rescued is when it is on the ground and has almost no feathers, is injured by pets or its tail is less than a half-inch long and it cannot hop on its own. If the nest is low enough to safely return the bird, it is OK to do so. Should a bird need care by a rehabilitator, place it in a tissue-lined box with air holes and keep the box warm. Do not give food or water.</p><p>The FWC's Northeast Region Office can be reached at 732-1225 for a list of rehabbers. Many local veterinarians also can be a good source of advice.</p><p>For more information, visit www.MyFWC.com.</p><p><b>Christian women's luncheon planned </b></p><p>The Ocala Christian Women's Connection invites women to “A Tisket a Tasket Luncheon” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 28 at the Ocala Hilton, 3600 SW 36 Ave., Ocala.</p><p>The event includes handcrafted baskets, soloist Connie Walker and inspirational speaker Pat Clark.</p><p>The cost is $18. Childcare is available. Reservations are required by May 24.</p><p>For more information, call 236-1982.</p><p><b>Safe boating course being offered June 1</b></p><p>The Harris Chain Sail and Power Squadron will hold a safe boating course from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 1 at Millers Boating Center,1661 NW 57th St., Ocala.</p><p>The cost is $49 for the first family member and $25 each for other family members willing to share a book. The minimum age is 12.</p><p>Attendees who pass the final exam will receive an FWC Boating Safety Education ID card, required for all boaters born after 1988.</p><p>Registration is required.</p><p>A class also will be held July 13.</p><p>For more information 259-9711 or visit www.harrischain.org.</p><p><b>Apply for permits to hunt alligators</b></p><p>The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has more than 5,000 permits available to participate in the 11-week alligator season, which runs Aug. 15 – Nov. 1.</p><p>The application process is conducted in three phases and begins by submitting an application at any tax collector's office, license agent or at www.License.MyFWC.com.</p><p><b>CALENDAR</b></p><p><b>TODAY</b></p><p>CRUISE-IN: Twilight Cruisers of Belleview, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Kmart, 10301 SE U.S. 441, Belleview. (347-4496)</p><p> </p><p>SOUND OF SOUL: 7:30 p.m., Orange Blossom Opry, 13939 SE State Road 42, Weirsdale. (821-1201 or www.obopry.com)</p><p> </p><p>PLAY: Saints on Stage presents “Father Knows Best,” 2 and 7 p.m., St John Lutheran School, 1915 SE Lake Weir Ave., Ocala. $5-$8. (622-7275)</p><p> </p><p>PET VACCINES: Florida International Teaching Zoo low-cost clinic, noon to 1 p.m., Tractor Supply, 11242 N. Williams, Dunnellon. $6 rabies, $14 distemper/parvo. (867-7788 or www.facebook.com/#!/PetVaccinations)</p><p> </p><p>NOVEL SOCIETY: The Florida Chapter of the Historical Novel Society, 1 p.m., Central Ridge Library, 425 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Beverly Hills. (726-0162 or www.fchns.org)</p><p>JAZZ: 4 p.m., Marion Woods, 1661 SE 31 St., Ocala. (671-1700)</p><p> </p><p>DERBY DAY: 5 p.m., South Marion-Villages Elks Lodge 2730, 7655 E. County Road 26, Belleview. Potluck dinner, Kentucky Derby themed activities and more. (245-3535)</p><p> </p><p>WRITERS: The Writers Group of Central Florida, 1 p.m., Dunnellon Public Library, 20351 Robinson Road, Dunnellon. (wgdunnellon@yahoo.com)</p><p> </p><p>DANCE: Ocala Singles Club, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Ocala Scottish Rite, 3632 NE Seventh St., Ocala. $9. Refreshments provided. (622-3171)</p><p> </p><p><b>SATURDAY AND SUNDAY</b></p><p>BALLET: Dance Divine School of Ballet presents “Nehemiah: In the Hand of God,” 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, CF Dassance Fine Arts Auditorium, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala. (629-6038 or 572-7556)</p><p> </p><p><b>SUNDAY</b></p><p>CHORALE: Marion Civic Chorale performs “Give My Regards to Broadway,” 3 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1126 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. (537-0207 or www.fumcocala.org)</p><p> </p><p>JEFF KLINKENBERG: Author discusses “Pilgrim in the Land of Alligators” and “Seasons of Real Florida,” 2 p.m., Marion County Public Library, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. (671-8551)</p><p> </p><p>CHORALE: Dunnellon Community Chorale, 3 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 21501 W. U.S. 40, Dunnellon. (489-2682)</p><p> </p><p>SCREENINGS: Three award-winning short films by Runaway Pictures, with Greg Thompson, 7 p.m., Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. $5-$10. (236-2274 or www.ocalacivictheatre.com)</p><p> </p><p>CRAFT DAY: 2 p.m., Marion Woods, 1661 SE 31 St., Ocala. (671-1700)</p><p> </p><p>SOUTHERN EXPRESS: In concert, 3 p.m., Ocala West United Methodist Church, 9330 SW 105th St., Ocala. (854-9550)</p><p> </p><p>OCALA YOUTH SYMPHONY: 3 p.m., Westport High School, 3733 SW 80 Ave. Ocala. Free. (873-6738)</p><p> </p><p>SPAGHETTI DINNER: 12:30 to 2 p.m., Salvation Army Gym, 2901 NE 14 St., Ocala. $7. (629-2004)</p><p><i>To submit information for this list, send an email to calendar@starbanner.com or visit www.ocala.com, scroll down and click on EVENTS CALENDAR on the right.</i></p>